Unsung heroes.

Here's some photos that didn't make the original cut.

(note: these were all taken with my camera phone, so apologies for the poor quality of some of them)

(and, finally, the bag of trash I collected from the area the last day)

Cover your bases: on the end of the world and the present Kingdom of God.

A life lesson from a maple tree.

"Teach us to make the most of our time, so that we may grow in wisdom." (Psalm 90:12 NLT)

Today was my last observational trip to the spot, and I was considering a few things: our responsibility to Creation...and the end of the world. As many of you probably know, a well-meaning group of Christians predicted that Christ would return yesterday, May 21, 2011 (apparently at 6:00PM EST). As I was driving through Marion at 6:01, I was relatively certain that God decided to wait on the rapture. But yesterday morning, as I was doing devotions, I honestly thought about what would happen if He did return that evening. Should I say some confessions? Donate my bank account? Simply worship? End of the world talk does bring with it a reminder of urgency, even if our faith states that no one will know when Christ will return.

In Sunday school, my friend Gretchen shared some words of wisdom that had been passed along to her: "God has a plan for your life, and so does the enemy." If we aren't spending our time and energy living for God, our time is directed elsewhere, and Satan does an excellent job of distracting us. Thus, often when trial, famine, or frustration comes, we are unprepared and the flesh gives in. We complain, cover up the problem, and fail to worship. We forget that our days are numbered, and we live as if our treasures are of this world. Although none of us knows when Jesus will return, we must always be prepared because none of us know when Jesus will return.

I was reminded of the strategy of preparedness today, as I walked among thousands of fallen maple tree "propellers"--the seedlings of a few maple trees out at the spot. As a child, I would throw them into the air then pick them up and dissect them. Years later, I now know that the great number of seeds are dropped to ensure that, despite falling on bad soil or into the hands of curious children, a few will survive and new maple trees will sprout up next year. The maple trees have a God-given life-insurance policy. 

Not knowing when Christ will return often gives ground to fear, and--in the grand scheme of things--it should. But because we have blessed assurance that the Kingdom of God is now, we should live with joy as if eternity is before us, confessing and repenting, joining alongside the Body, and worshipping in every action, word, and thought. We should, like the maple tree, sink our roots deep and spread seeds far and wide, ensuring that every person who encounters us walks away having seen the face of God. 

Stop to listen.

A life lesson from an Eastern Cottontail rabbit.

"Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches." (Revelation 3:22)

Today I was blessed by an uncommon sighting in my nature walks; an Eastern Cottontail was venturing out from some trees and stopped when I was about fifty yards away. They are generally solitary animals that wander out at night, so I was surprised to see large ears and a fluffy white tail nestled in the grass. My time with the rabbit was very short, since I eventually had to keep walking, but I was struck by its attentiveness to my movement. Despite this herbivore's small size, it has been equipped with a pair of ears large enough to discern the arrival of predators. The rabbit made me consider: am I listening for the right voice?

Our brains are often over-saturated with noise--verbal and visual. I am reminded of this every time I return home from college and go to the mall with my mother. Companies market to our senses, not just our minds, and we buy into the noise. In fact, we buy in to drown out the noise through self-help books and products. It's no small wonder that discerning God's voice is difficult, when a thousand other cries are demanding our attention.

Sometimes we attempt to listen, but it seems as if the Lord is silent. We call out like the Psalmist, asking that He give ear to our pleas and intervene on our behalf. In this case, Oswald Chambers says that "God will give you the very blessings you ask if you refuse to go any further without them, but His silence is the sign that He is bringing you into an even more wonderful understanding of Himself...He has trusted you in the most intimate way possible--with absolute silence." The Lord will strip away our demands that He provide words and we will be met with all we need: His presence.

Regardless whether God is providing a torrent of words or complete silence, He has provided us ears to listen with for a purpose. Many times Scripture records Jesus saying, "He who has ears, let him hear." Why? In John 10:27, He says, "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me." We don't listen for God as if He is a fortune teller, waiting to give us answers. We remain attentive because we have no other option. As His sheep, we truly are lost without Him. Because of this, we must continually be listening--regardless of whether we think we need to hear from Him or not. Don't just give  Him one hour a week or 15 minutes during the day, always be ready for Him to share part of Himself with you.

Let's take Eli's advice, and remember to continually say, "Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening" (1 Samuel 3:9).

Get moving!

A life lesson from a centipede. 

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by  such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run the race marked out for us." (Hebrews 12:1)

I’ve tried for years to understand why the Home Shopping Network is so popular. My mother enjoys having it on at home, since she doesn’t have time or energy outside of work to go out and shop all the time. But, when I’ve watched it, I’m always amazed at how many products are sold. As the tan, polished, and rehearsed salesperson explains why you can’t live without a specific baking dish or hair cream, the sales count skyrockets at lightning speed before the bell chimes and “Sold Out” flash on the screen, disappointing thousands of comparison shoppers. 

It’s not just the materialism that gets me, but the number of people who are likely sitting at home staring at their screen, perhaps contemplating calling in for a testimonial. The issue of stagnation and idleness is nothing new in our culture, and yet it’s coupled with the busyness. We're a culture that sets our treadmill on high during the day and pulls out the red emergency plug to stop at night. In the midst of the chaos we often encounter struggles of injustice and sin only to be too exhausted or too hurt or too afraid to confront the issue. And so darkness wins again. 

When I found this centipede today, I thought for a long time about a life lesson to gain from it. Personally, I think centipedes are really disgusting, and I almost ignored it when I did find it. But, when I lifted up a board and saw them scatter everywhere, I was amazed at how quickly they move. (Granted, having multiple legs probably helps.) What they have to share with us is not, I think, incentive to join a recreational center (though that's always good advice); they should remind us to get up and get moving. Period. Don't just let life happen to you.

It's easy, in the midst of everything, to allow life to negatively affect us. And it's more than bad moods or difficult circumstances: We are in battle. Instead of drowning in the pain of a headache, sitting in anger at unjust treatment, or silently giving in to temptation, we must stand up and demand another Way. Opposition is inevitable, but we do have a choice to use the resources the Lord has given us. Remember the power of the name of Jesus Christ and say it out loud. Remind the authority in which you live your life. And refuse to settle for anything less than wholeness and joy. If you face a challenge today, don't let it rule over you. Use the legs God has given you. Go find the Word, go into your closet to pray, go on a walk, or go meet with the Body. Don't just stand there. Get moving!

Speak boldly.

A life lesson from a Red-winged Blackbird.

"Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness." (Acts 4:29)

One of my professors said a few months ago,"The opposite of faith is not doubt; it's fear." Fear keeps us in bondage, preventing us from trusting, believing, and moving forward. And fear paralyzes our lips. Why don't we share the Gospel? Perhaps its because Rome has told us that whatever religion we accept is permissible--as long as we're silent. 

In patches of Indiana countryside, as in the picture above, Creation refuses to be silent. Regardless if the wind is completely still or rain threatens to drive all humans indoors, the melodies of birds persist as they mate, defend, and forage. The Red-winged Blackbird, a native North American species, is commonly found in wet, marshy areas and countryside. They are aggressive and territorial, the males' brightly colored wings offering a showy display of their personality. And if their dive-bombing and rapid flight doesn't distinguish them, their voices ensure that all approaching animals are aware of their presence.

The mouthy Red-winged Blackbird may use its calls for notification of predators (like me) or mating, but its continual noise is a good reminder that followers of Christ should refuse to be quiet. And yet so often we are. Have you ever compared the conclusion of Mark's Gospel to the rest? Matthew ends with the Great Commission, Luke finishes with Jesus's ascension into Heaven and the disciples' worship, and John writes about Jesus's command to Peter to follow Him. But if you turn to Mark 16, some variation of the following words are likely printed in your Bible before verse 9: "The earliest manuscripts and some other ancient witnesses do not have Mark 16:9-20." Mark originally concluded with Mary Magdalene and Mary (James's mother) fleeing from Christ's tomb and "saying nothing to anyone, because they were afraid."

Pastor Steve DeNeff notes that Mark likely ended his Gospel in silence because the emperor Nero was in power and persecuting Christians during the time it was written. Christians in Nero's time, like the women in Mark 16:8, would have also been afraid. Today we live in a free nation yet our culture has taught us to stay in our place. Have you ever though about how much is at stake in the name of Christ? Because we fear that we can't believe something that we can't rationally prove, "One nation under God" is removed from the Pledge of Allegiance, the Ten Commandments can't be posted in a government building, "Happy Holidays" has replaced "Merry Christmas," and we're now "Christ followers" instead of "Christians," which brings with it centuries of negative connotations. 

Regardless of how we are perceived, the world must "know we are Christians by our love," but it must also hear the name of Jesus Christ. If we really walk by faith and believe in the work at Calvary, we must be bold to proclaim the Man who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

Accept the pruning.

A life lesson from a Crabapple tree.

"I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in Me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit He prunes so that it will be even more fruitful" (John 15:1-2).

Following Jesus Christ requires simultaneously resting in wholeness and yet never remaining satisfied. Because the height, length, depth, and breadth of God is far more than we will ever comprehend during this lifetime, we must continually seek Him, trusting that each day brings with it more opportunities to glimpse His love in our lives. And because He desires us to be sanctified (see 1 Thessalonians 4:3) and returned to a state of unity with Him, He continues to cut away traces of our old selves.

When I started observing this spot ten days ago, I noticed this tree and a similar one behind it. Both trees had been split at the trunk, as if lightning had struck and forced the greater part of the foliage to the ground. Despite this great fracture, I was excited to see the tree was already at work reproducing tiny branches along the grounded trunk, pulling from its deep-set roots to reestablish a structure that will likely be flowering again by next spring. Plants like this one have remarkable resilience to natural pruning processes. If given time and a stable habitat, they not only use the pruned, decomposing material as green compost for nutrients; they start anew! 

For humans, the "pruning" process is much more difficult. But God is not satisfied with any part of us that is not bearing fruit. And so He will call attention to our weaknesses, exposing us to the elements until we are willing to admit our weakness and seek grace. The story of Solomon's birth is a good example of not only God's pruning but also His forgiveness. After David's affair with Bathsheba and his planned death of her husband Uriah, the prophet Nathan was sent to tell the King that the son that was born to him would die (2 Samuel 12:14). Despite David's pleas to God, the child died, but the man was also promised forgiveness from the Lord. Consequentially, Bathsheba and David gave birth to Solomon, whom "the LORD loved" (see v. 24). From both of these men we have prayers and exhortations, praises and self-assessments--words of encouragement and words of warning in Scripture that persist in public and private readings universally today. 

In My Utmost for His Highest, Oswald Chambers writes, "Before God becomes satisfied with us, He will take everything of our so-called wealth, until we learn that He is our Source; as the psalmist says, 'All my springs are in You' (Psalm 87:7)" (May 16th devotional). We must accept that God finds it necessary to remove the parts of us that hinder fullness of love and rebirth. Trust His pain has purpose and remember His plans for you are good. For "though He slay me, yet I will trust Him" (Job 13:15).

PS: Here's a song of encouragement for a season of pruning: "Sky's Still Blue"

Embrace the hidden life.

A life lesson from a worm.

"Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven" (Matthew 6:1)

Yesterday Pastor Steve DeNeff at College Wesleyan Church preached a sermon titled "An Audience of One," which challenged listeners to consider "the audience" of others (see the full sermon here: http://www.collegewes.com/). This message, and Pastor Steve's discussion on "the discipline of hiddenness," led to today's devotional.

In Matthew 6, Jesus is preaching His Sermon on the Mount. In verse 1 He instructs his listeners to consider their audience (their purpose for doing 'acts of righteousness'), and then challenges them with three Jewish traditions (part of the Law) held to a higher standard: alms giving, prayer, and fasting. All Jews would have participated in these activities, but Jesus develops a higher standard: give to the needy in private (v. 3), pray unseen (v. 6), and don't make a show of fasting (v. 17).

Jesus's directions here are radical, considering the "holy" folks of Israel were the Pharisees, who ensured the public saw their religious piety demonstrated. Unlike these religious leaders, Jesus instructs listeners to continue pursuing holiness but hide it from everyone. Don't tell anyone, pray in a closet, and smile in the midst of hunger--and take pains to make sure no one finds out what good acts you do. But why? The good deeds we do are not for ourselves and they're not for man; they're an intimate offering to God.

Today, I found a tiny example of the hidden life buried in the topsoil of the earth. Worms like the one pictured above are critical for aerating and providing water circulation through soil, since they dig tunnels through the earth. And because they decompose organic matter in the soil and produce nutrient-rich waste products, the soil is naturally fertilized. This process of "vermicompositing" is essential to the healthy development of soil and plant life, but it's all done completely unseen.

These tiny creatures reflect the actions of our Savior, who not only commanded His listeners to give in private but also retreated after performing miracles, asking those He healed to remain silent about what they experienced. For most of us, our natural inclination--after doing a good deed or receiving a compliment--is not to hide away and present ourselves back to God. We want to share the "good news," even if we justify it as "affirmation" that we need for a self-esteem boost.

But Jesus promises that if we live the hidden life, our Father in Heaven will reward us. So when we're tempted to share our holiness (when it will not be directly glorifying God's faithfulness) with others, we need to present it to Him, then kill it, burn it, walk away from it, and wait for another opportunity of faithful service. Fight for Him in private and He will fight for you in public.

Be in community.

A life lesson from some spring violets.

"Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common." (Acts 4:32)

"You can do anything you set your mind to!" "Be the best you you can be!" Self-discipline, self-esteem, self-motivated! Our culture does an excellent job of keeping each of us at the center of our own little world, so we are self-reliant. A few years ago I wrote an essay on the culture of English coffee houses. Our current coffee shop culture looks very different from the original coffee house design, which provided an environment of community and fellowship over a good cup of coffee. Now we head to Starbucks or our favorite local cafe with earbuds and a book, closing out everyone else (who are similarly equipped). This may not always be the case. We may go intentionally with friends, or stop to talk to people who are there. But the culture of communal isolation we indulge in (along with overpriced beverages) can't be ignored. 

One of the greatest issues the Church faces is Western culture. We are a blessed people with a multitude of talents, gifts, and resources, yet we are constantly in division against ourselves--not because we think everyone else is wrong, but we often remain convinced we are always right. A great lie we have bought into is the necessity of independence. Since we believe we can take care of ourselves, we either stifle our contributions to the communities we reside in or we refuse to allow others to act as members of the Body. Often, we fear that asking for assistance, turning over leadership in a project, asking for resources, and even asking for prayer will somehow demonstrate weakness. And, to some extent, it does.

We can't do it all. God has gifted each of us with a unique set of abilities, but He does not want us to bear the weight of the world's burden alone; He already has. The early Church (as written in Acts) recognized the great blessing of community--being of one heart and soul, sharing so that no one was for want of anything. My favorite flower--the spring violet--is a tiny example of living life fulfilled in community. Each spring, these tiny flowers pop up in yards in clusters and appear generally less invasive and distracting than dandelions. Rarely do you see a spring violet flower alone, and the small patches they grow in include flowers on tall and short stems, all thriving in different places but inseparable from their neighbors. 

Each time I see those little purple faces, I am reminded of the people I need in my life. No matter where the Lord calls us, He always calls us to be among others. And the necessity of belonging to a solid group of believers is absolutely essential, I have learned; we may pour out all we have to the world around us, but being poured into is equally important. This requires great humility, allowing others to love us, allowing others to walk alongside us, and allowing a three-Personed God remind us we were made for each other. You were made dependent.

Trust the promises.

A life lesson from a squirrel.

"For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. 

    Therefore, we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. We live by faith, not by sight." (2 Corinthians 5:4-7)

Throughout my life I have struggled to cast off the world and wait with expectant surrender for life eternal. With the many blessings we receive daily--from clean water to safe homes to a disposable income--the image of "heaven" (cherubim playing harps on clouds) seems less than desirable, especially when there's so much life of blessing to be had! I find this image distorted for two reasons. First, Scripture says that Creation is good, so eternal life will be all that we experience now purified, perfected, and made whole. (And although music is brilliant and a critical part of life, it's only one part. I don't think we'll be a choir all the time.)  Second, when our vision becomes escapism from the material world, it is not a vision at all! Whether in abundance or poverty, eternal life must be sought with Christ alone in mind. 

So when we think about living by faith and not sight, we must consider the promises God has given us. He has promised eternal life to those who accept Jesus Christ as their Savior. He has promised never to leave us or forsake us. Through the gift of the Holy Spirit, we now have free access to an intimate relationship with Him. We have protection, guidance, mercy, love, freedom, and so much more! 

Although those promises continually remind us of God's loving nature, they also challenge us to trust that He is faithful in keeping His promises. The squirrel understands trusting in promises. Each year they collect nuts that fall off of trees and burry them into the ground, not only taking what they need for daily provision but collecting a store for later when food is scarce. We, as animals of overconsumption, can learn a good deal from their conservation efforts. And we should also take a hint at their natural inclination to wait for the right time. They have learned to trust that weeks, months, even perhaps years down the road something they have been promised will be waiting for them--waiting to provide sustenance and come to fruition. 

God's promise to Abram is written in Genesis 15. The LORD says to him, "Look up at the heavens and count the stars--if indeed you can count them. Then He said to him, "So shall your offspring be" (v. 5). But before Abram was given a new name and the covenant of circumcision (chapter 17), he is unable to wait for God to fulfill His promise. Because his wife had not born him children, she instructed him to sleep with her maidservant, Hagar. Fortunately, God worked through Abram's mistake and provided even despite him; he is even counted as a main of faithfulness in Hebrews 11 due to his willingness to sacrifice his son, Isaac. 

At times we experience doubt, fear, loneliness, and pain. But the trials we face are in our lives are there to prove that our faith is genuine and worth more than gold (1 Peter 1:7). God only gives us daily bread, but He also gives us the reality of intimacy. And because His kingdom is now, we can trust that God's promises are "Yes" and "Amen" in Christ (2 Corinthians 1:20).

Bear the burden.

A life lesson from some ants.

"Then he said to them all: 'If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for Me will save it.'" (Luke 9:23-24)

We often mistake a verse in 1 Corinthians to read "God won't give you anything you can't handle." In actuality, 1 Corinthians 10:13 reads, "No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can endure it." This verse is critical, for it promises protection and strength, but we must not leave out the word temptation. Because sometimes God does give us more than we can bear--burdens too great for us to carry alone. And He does it on purpose.

Consider this colony of ants. Their observable habitat, amidst a grassy patch at the base of a tree, is about 2 feet in diameter. From the openings of several holes in the ground, tiny black bodies rush in and out, carrying food, digging tunnels, and carrying away bodies of dead comrades. They are ceaseless in their work, blending in to their community with identities undistinguishable from one another. According to biologists at Arizona State University an ant can carry 10-50 times their weight due to muscle structure. Thus, spotting an ant carting a full leaf or even another, larger ant is not unusual. They are built to bear a burden.

I remember learning about ants' carrying capacity in elementary school. The idea was unfathomable to me; even carrying a gallon of milk seemed exhausting to my tiny arms. But from a young age I have also learned that God does place burdens in our life that exceed our strength, forcing us to quit relying on our own abilities. By nature, humans look to pride not only as an attribute but an essential quality for survival. We view obstacles as opportunities for self-pity, not submission. We throw our fists to the heavens, when the LORD takes things from our lives that were never ours. We ask, "WHY!?"

A few nights ago I came across a quote from Philip Yancey I wrote down a few years ago: "Maybe sometimes God keeps us in the dark about 'why' not so much because He wants to keep us in the dark, as because He knows that we are incapable of absorbing so much light." The cross we are to take up is not a bag of blessings but the nails of suffering that allow us to identify with our Savior. The early Church fathers prayed for long deaths, not silent, quick ones, that they may boast in their sufferings. Crosses test our faithfulness, but the burden we bear is not carried without the supernatural power of grace. Ask and it will be given. You aren't meant to do it alone.

Be fearless.

A life lesson from a fungus.

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go." (Joshua 1:9)

My knowledge of mycology (the study of fungi) is limited, but I was excited to see this spotted cluster of lumps growing off the side of a fallen log. Fungi abound in sizes, shapes, and safety--ranging from the microscopic Crypto to the giant, cuddly looking puffball and everywhere in between. They make their home often in seemingly undesirable locations, attaching themselves to decaying and moist matter. And frequently they are in symbiotic relationships, closely existing on or alongside other organisms. Besides their seemingly dependent nature, the fungus (such as the one above) is unique in its boldness--a surface of shocking color and soft form against the earthy, broken bark behind it. It may stand alone, but it stands with strength.

For those who have chosen to identify with Jesus Christ, we must actively take off the old self and put on the new. This new identity cannot be "closeted," hidden from the world, although many of us are "set apart" by moral behavior. But following Christ isn't simply about acting with decorum! It's walking by faith and choosing to believe in a God who is in and around and through all things--a God who is active in the world at this very moment. 

The book of Joshua begins with a summons. For forty years the Israelites have been in exile, waiting for the God of faithfulness to deliver them out of bondage and into the promised land. Yet, under the leadership of Moses, God's people turned from Him, choosing to worship other gods and doubt the one true God. After Moses's death, the LORD calls Joshua to lead these wanderers to prosperity and triumph over the evil nations in Canaan. What hope awaited! And yet God says to Joshua "As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you" (Josh 1:5) and then commands him to be strong and courageous. As a warrior and spiritual leader, Joshua was a brilliant and faithful servant. Even so, the Lord included courage.

Few of us are called to lead a large group of people out of exile, but we are still called to have the boldness to not only go where God leads but also faithfully identify ourselves with Him. The name of Jesus Christ should fall without hesitation from our lips, and the decisions we make should always be with the intention of glorifying only one Man. Whether in persecution or blessing, we are called to stand out--to not be of this world but still to remain in it. Celebrate your identity as a child of God, but make sure the world knows to Whom you belong.

Take a breather.

A life lesson from some humans.

“After the people saw the miraculous sign that Jesus did, they began to say, ‘Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world.’ Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make Him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by Himself.” (John 6:14-15)

As I was walking to my observation spot this afternoon, I anticipated seeing the usual cluster of trees, the many dandelions, and even the fungus I discovered last week. To my surprise, a young man and woman had strung a hammock between two tall trees in the area. Initially I avoided them, afraid my presence would disturb their attempt at quiet time on the edge of campus. But as I sat in the warm sunshine myself, I realized that my human friends had the right idea. They can offer a lesson we all fail to remember at times: stop and steward your self!

Genesis 2:15 tells us our first role as humans in Creation: “The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.” In Genesis 3, humans move beyond naming the plants and animals to cursing Creation through sin and being fully dependent upon it for survival (Genesis 17-19). Because of our dependency and natural desire for autonomy, we approach the earth with domination. Wilderness is now controlled through pesticides, lawn mowers, drills, and steel. We cut it down, burn it out, replant it, and transform it to meet our needs. But we often forget the essential role Creation plays in our lives.

Being stewards of the earth is more than environmental activism; it requires accepting Creation as a gift from God. Not only do we depend on Creation to meet our need of survival, we need it to simply be. In setting boundaries over time, economy, and even one another, we have become divided—exhausting ourselves for productivity’s sake. We are so busy “working” and “taking care” of the Garden we lose sight of simplicity. The Gospels tell us repeatedly that in spite of His active ministry, Jesus often left everyone to seek solitude, returning to nature and God Himself to be reequipped for His ministry.

It’s easy to embrace the beauty of Creation on sunny days in May; as soon as the weather calls for shorts and a cool glass of water it becomes “well with our soul.” Yet the pastoral landscape might be absent from our current concrete jungle, or (with fickle springtime weather) sunny days might be few and far between. Jesus did not, however, escape from the crowds and seek time in nature because he needed a transcendent experience or bouquet of flowers. He left to be restored. And so must we. In the midst of chaos, idleness, multitudes, or isolation, we must return to the Garden.

So stop, step outside, and breathe. Remember, creator, that you first were created.

Make your living among the dead.

A life lesson from a green bottle fly.

"A man with leprosy came to Him [Jesus] and begged Him on his knees. 'If you are willing, you can make me clean.' Filled with compassion, Jesus reached out His hand and touched the man. 'I am willing,' He said. 'Be clean!' Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cured." (Mark 1:40-41)

This passage in Mark comes after the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew's account. Jesus has just spoken about fulfilling the Law and here He is seen touching a leper--a violation of the Law. Mark 1:30-34 tells us that Jesus has healed Peter's mother-in-law as well as many sick and demon possessed. Yet here we have a conversation between a man cast off from society and the Son of God, who not only heals the man but also has compassion for him. Jesus did not come to guarantee the Pharisees a place in Heaven; He came that all may be forgiven. He came not for the living but for the dead.

The green bottle fly is also familiar with death. In fact, it makes its living among the dead, usually the first living organisms to arrive at freshly killed meat. Their bodies are metallic, they're bigger than a common housefly, and the one I met was on a mission. It was scuttling up the trunk of a tree, unfazed by my camera and even my finger along its hairy little body. The fly was alone and unaffected in its quest by my presence. 

To be honest, the idea of writing about an insect that feeds off of dead meat--much less a carnivorous fly--seemed unappealing. But I realized that our calling on this earth, like the fly, is to dwell among the dead.  Just as we are to die daily to ourselves, we are called to enter back into the cave and proclaim "Awake O sleepers!" It is easy to be attracted to passive monasticism, idealizing life in a secluded, cloistered environment safe from the world. Yet we are not called to safety! As witnesses of the Good News of Christ (that we may finally gain full life and freedom) we are expected to extend our hand to the dead with compassion and say, "Be clean!"

Do you make your living among the dead, or are you seeking "the good life" that falsely promises protection with its isolation? We must be bold to enter into the places the world criticizes the Church for abandoning. Be the first to arrive and be bold to speak life into the places of decay. And if the Lord has already placed you there, rejoice and daily ask Him to renew your love for the valley.

Live to die.

A life lesson from a dandelion.

"Jesus replied, 'The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life." (John 12:23-25)

We frequently consider the lilies of the field, but the persistence of a dandelion may drive us mad. The law of scarcity tempts us to believe that the commonplace is not beautiful, valuable, or even worth contemplating. But the dandelion is an echo of the sun, its life offering wishes and wine. These unassuming plants are not boastful of the territory they take. They announce their presence with only a single blossom, a shock of yellow on a bald stem. And they thrive free of bias, surviving and multiplying despite our neglect or attention. 

The purpose of the dandelion is to live that it may die. From its birth it is usually hated: the ever watchful gardener rips out its roots and the random passerby rolls his eyes in disdain at an unkempt yard. What resources it does offer are stolen from insects, and it is rarely unique--unless it has been left to grow to an unusually large size, which provokes further delight in ending its life. Although its root may take hold and last for a good portion of time, the life of the dandelion flower (left unattended) is short lived. From hidden bud to aged snowball of seeds, the dandelion is continually dying that new birth can crop up.

In Scripture Christ tells us that we must lose our life to find it (Matthew 16:24-25). But how can freedom come from surrender? Saint Augustine writes that true rest comes from dwelling within God--killing off our hopes, ambitions, dreams, and fears to make room for His plans. Further, we exist to be instruments of His use, not self-motivated machines of accumulation, ambition, and individuality. Yes, to Him we are unique (He knows the exact number of hairs on our heads!), but our life is not meant to be written as a legacy. The Book has already been written for the glorification of one Man. Still, our lives have such great value that they are to be in service to a King, making each life invaluable and essential.

By living to die, we relinquish our power for self-promotion. We no longer exist for ourselves because it is no longer us but Christ living within us. In dying we bear much fruit that is caught by something or someone else to be replanted elsewhere--to give birth and life in places we will never go. 

Consider your motives. Consider how you spend your time. Whom do they honor?

"He must become greater; I must become less." (John 3:30)

Cling Lightly.

A life lesson from moss.

Then Jesus said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.” And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’ “Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”’ “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’ “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.” (Luke 12:15-21)

I have heard the axiom numerous times: “Take control of your possessions, or they will control you.” We tend to think that we have dominion over the things of this world—holding on to our possessions, our visions, our passions, our abilities. Yet we forget, sometimes, that none of them are ours. At some points God strips the gifts He gives us out of our life, pulling our greed, fear, and weakness to the forefront of our consciousness.

Sometimes we are like Job. The LORD may say, “Consider my servant…they are blameless and upright, a child who fears God and shuns evil.” He trusts our ability to withstand trial and so removes objects of affection from our life. Relationships, jobs, stability, even our desire for worship may end. And yet how many of us, like Job, fall on the ground in worship and say, “The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised” (Job 1:20)?

Others of us find kinship with Abraham, who was offered a promise—a covenant—and was still called to relinquish one of the most precious parts of his life. Our stones do not feel like bread as we are called to tie things we love to the altar, be they addictions, self-love, dependencies on people, and even seemingly good relationships or circumstances. Yet Abraham worshipped God for testing his faithfulness and remaining faithful Himself. He created an altar on Mount Moriah and called it “The LORD Will Provide” (Genesis 22:14).

We think that by establishing our roots deep in the gifts of God that we will be provided for. The virtue of stability teaches us to remain faithful to the place, people, and blessings we have been given. But we are called to cling lightly. Like the rich moss that covers soil and the roots of trees, we are called to invest in, cultivate, and bring life to the barren places in the world. But we must never forget this world is not ours and thus our roots must not hold too firmly to the soil. Since the treasures we are called to store are in heaven, we like Job and Abraham must be prepared for God to take our blessings away. And, at the end of each trial, we must confidently proclaim “The LORD WILL provide.”

Environmental Science Devotionals

For May Term 2011 I am taking Environment and Society. We are required, for class, to observe a spot on campus each day for 15 minutes. At the end of the semester we do a cumulative project of our experience. I have decided to turn my observations into devotions, based on the organisms I observe there. Hope you are as challenged by God's Creation as I am!

Be blessed.

PS: this is the spot!